Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Boland Introduces E85 Legislation For Local Government
Bill Would Save Taxpayer Money & Stimulate Local Ethanol Markets
SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Mike Boland (D-East Moline) announced today that he will continue his efforts to make Illinois a leader in the ethanol industry by introducing legislation requiring local governments to purchase flex fuel vehicles, when making new vehicle purchases. In the 2006 session of the Illinois General Assembly, Boland was the sponsor of HB 4137 which requires that all new vehicles purchased by the state be fuel efficient hybrids, or Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s), cars and trucks that run on both E85 and traditional gasoline,. That legislation was recently signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich. Boland’s newest proposal simply adds a requirement for local governments to also comply with this rule.
“By encouraging the use of E85 fuel, we are helping farmers here at home while also reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” Boland said. “This legislation will help to promote the development of greater capacity and infrastructure for the Illinois ethanol industry,” he continued. “Using E85 fuel produced from crops grown here in Illinois can also help stabilize commodity prices, and enhance agricultural profitability for our family farmers,” he stated. “By taking an active leadership role in promoting this new fuel technology, the State of Illinois will help to ensure a strong future for this important product and for our agricultural economy,” Boland emphasized.
“Because of our geographical position in our Nation’s heartland, and because we’ve been blessed with wonderfully rich agricultural soils, Illinois has a unique opportunity to become a leader in E85 technology,” Boland said. “Not only does the further development of E85 fuels open up exciting new markets for agriculture, it will also foster job growth as this industry continues to develop,” he stated. “By promoting and developing further markets for a cleaner burning fuel that frees us from dependence on foreign sources of oil, all the current and future residents of the Land of Lincoln come out far ahead,” Boland continued.
E85 fuel is produced by blending 85 percent ethanol, which is produced from domestically grown corn, with 15 percent traditional unleaded gasoline. This fuel blend provides fuel economy and power comparable to normal unleaded gasoline. In addition to the economic benefits of manufacturing E85 in Illinois with Ethanol made from corn grown in our state, there is the added benefit that E85 burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. E85 has the highest oxygen content of any motor fuel available today, so it burns cleaner than gasoline. This reduction in exhaust emissions improves air quality and reduces smog, which results in lower rates of respiratory disease and a better quality of life for those with breathing problems.
Boland’s current proposal is being drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau for introduction in the upcoming, 2007 Spring Session of the Illinois General Assembly. Updates on Boland’s legislative activities can be found by visiting www.MikeBoland.blogspot.com. Representative Mike Boland can be reached at his district legislative office located at 4416 River Drive; Moline, Il 61265; or by phone at 309/736-3360. Boland’s local email contact is ILREPMikeBoland@aol.com .
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SPRINGFIELD - State Representative Mike Boland (D-East Moline) announced today that he will continue his efforts to make Illinois a leader in the ethanol industry by introducing legislation requiring local governments to purchase flex fuel vehicles, when making new vehicle purchases. In the 2006 session of the Illinois General Assembly, Boland was the sponsor of HB 4137 which requires that all new vehicles purchased by the state be fuel efficient hybrids, or Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV’s), cars and trucks that run on both E85 and traditional gasoline,. That legislation was recently signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich. Boland’s newest proposal simply adds a requirement for local governments to also comply with this rule.
“By encouraging the use of E85 fuel, we are helping farmers here at home while also reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” Boland said. “This legislation will help to promote the development of greater capacity and infrastructure for the Illinois ethanol industry,” he continued. “Using E85 fuel produced from crops grown here in Illinois can also help stabilize commodity prices, and enhance agricultural profitability for our family farmers,” he stated. “By taking an active leadership role in promoting this new fuel technology, the State of Illinois will help to ensure a strong future for this important product and for our agricultural economy,” Boland emphasized.
“Because of our geographical position in our Nation’s heartland, and because we’ve been blessed with wonderfully rich agricultural soils, Illinois has a unique opportunity to become a leader in E85 technology,” Boland said. “Not only does the further development of E85 fuels open up exciting new markets for agriculture, it will also foster job growth as this industry continues to develop,” he stated. “By promoting and developing further markets for a cleaner burning fuel that frees us from dependence on foreign sources of oil, all the current and future residents of the Land of Lincoln come out far ahead,” Boland continued.
E85 fuel is produced by blending 85 percent ethanol, which is produced from domestically grown corn, with 15 percent traditional unleaded gasoline. This fuel blend provides fuel economy and power comparable to normal unleaded gasoline. In addition to the economic benefits of manufacturing E85 in Illinois with Ethanol made from corn grown in our state, there is the added benefit that E85 burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. E85 has the highest oxygen content of any motor fuel available today, so it burns cleaner than gasoline. This reduction in exhaust emissions improves air quality and reduces smog, which results in lower rates of respiratory disease and a better quality of life for those with breathing problems.
Boland’s current proposal is being drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau for introduction in the upcoming, 2007 Spring Session of the Illinois General Assembly. Updates on Boland’s legislative activities can be found by visiting www.MikeBoland.blogspot.com. Representative Mike Boland can be reached at his district legislative office located at 4416 River Drive; Moline, Il 61265; or by phone at 309/736-3360. Boland’s local email contact is ILREPMikeBoland@aol.com .
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